When explorers of the past washed up on the shores of the Seychelles, they came across a piece of nature that led them to believe that they had stumbled across the Forbidden Fruit of the biblical Garden of Eden. Scattered along the tropical beaches were palm seeds that were similar to the female form, each reflecting the front and bottom area of the pelvis which made the men reminisce about the women they had left behind at home. What they had discovered was actually an extremely rare seed of the sea, otherwise known as the 'coco de mer.'

Having originated from the stamen of a plantthat bears an uncanny resemblance to a penis,the heavy seed is a true symbol of masculinityand femininity. Found on only two islands in theSeychelles, this representation of sexual naturebecame the inspiration for London based eroticemporium Coco de Mer.

Identifying the beauty of the natural world with herupmarket brand, Sam Roddick has built the cult

Covent Garden store and mail order service around the beliefs she was raised with. The daughter of the Bodyshop founder Anita Roddick has incorporated her environmentally conscious ethos into her work, with Coco De Mer investing in the talents of local artistes and adhering to strict fair trade guidelines on imported products. Committed to enabling individuals to use sex as an instrument to transform their own existence, she invites them to bring more excitement, imagination, debate, life and texture to their world. Her products may be costly, but everything that comes from the store is guaranteed to give a highly glamorous and exclusive feel to the user. For instance, a feathery 'Quiver Crop' will set you back £225, whilst a leather moulded mask bears a £105 price tag.

But it's not all for the sexually adventurous. Empowering singletons and couples in the bedroom department, Coco De Mer offers an education for the client who is not so confident with 'salons,' that take place in the store or at home. Claiming this service to be the essence of the company, these lessons in the art of loving hark back to the social gatherings of the Eighteenth Century where debauchery, entertainment and intellectual debate would be on the agenda at the 'grandes salons' of private residencies. Relentlessly striving to explore and excite with an underlying theme of education, Coco De Mer is a million miles away from the PVC glare of the high street sex shop, cackling hen parties and wipe clean Ann Summer's style nurses outfits. From finely crafted glass dildos and diamante nipple tassels to horse hair whips and classic erotic fiction, Coco de Mer has sex down to a fine art. The rich material of Coco De Mer's elegant wrap dresses and silky camis may seem innocent enough, but the peep knickers and body bondage attire are saucy enough to make even the most fervent fan of strip tease blush!

Customers also have the luxury of being able to tease long distance lovers and tempt partners with the infamous in house confessional style peep show dressing rooms. Building on the peepholes that already gave shoppers a fair amount of fun; a larger gilt picture framed one has recently been installed with graphic design to encapsulate that signature Coco De Mer style sense of fun and humour. This new retail concept allows lingerie clad ladies to email images of themselves to a special person of their choice, with one of the dressing rooms being equipped with a touch screen monitor and a webcam. From there, pictures can be uploaded from the store direct to the private 'After Hours' members area of the Coco De Mer website and then onto anyone the user wishes along with a 'little message of love'. At Coco De Mer, sexy treats are to be indulged in all year long - not just for Valentines Day!

Like an expert lover Coco De Mer will have you coming back for more!

www.coco-de-mer.co.uk

WORDS: LAUREN TONES